Ait-Nouri helps Algeria into last-eight at AFCON

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Manchester City F.C.

·6 January 2026

Ait-Nouri helps Algeria into last-eight at AFCON

Rayan Ait-Nouri helped Algeria into the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations after a dramatic 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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The two-times winners looked like they would be pushed all the way to penalties until a stunning 119th minute winner from Adil Boulbina.

Algeria won their three group games at the tournament in Morocco, but struggled to find a way past a stubborn DR Congo side in the last-16 clash.

Former City star Riyad Mahrez, as always was a huge threat, but the North Africans found it difficult to create too many big opportunities in the first half.

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Indeed, DR Congo’s Axel Tuanzebe went closest before the break with a towering header that drifted just wide.

Mahrez tried his luck with a second half free-kick that flew over the bar before both the Algeria captain and Ait-Nouri were surprisingly substituted.

DR Congo almost took the lead immediately with Edo Kayembe’s long-range strike testing goalkeeper Luca Zidane, who has yet to be beaten in the competition so far.

Both countries went close to winner in extra-time until, with a shootout looming, Boulbina struck – cutting in from the left wing and firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Algeria will now face Nigeria in the quarter-finals in Marrakesh on Saturday 10 January at 16:00 (UK).

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